Tool container with reversible hinge cover

ABSTRACT

A container is described, that is suitable for securely holding a variety of tools and other objects within the container. The container of the invention is particularly well suited for holding a variety of cordless power tools, hammers, squares or other loose objects. The container includes a reversible hinged cover that allows for pivoting the cover open from a side of the container or, alternatively, by reversing the cover the cover may be pivoted open from either end of the cover.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the filing benefit and priority of U.S.Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 13/955,850 filed Jul. 31,2013 and U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 14/530,097filed Oct. 31, 2014, the contents each of which are incorporated hereinby reference in its entirety.

FEDERAL SPONSORSHIP

Not Applicable

JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention pertains generally to tool holsters. More particularly,the invention pertains to a tool holster having varying configurationsto firmly retain a selected tool within the holster or holder. The toolholster of the present invention further reduces sway or slipping of thetool when hung from the waist of a user and maintains the tool slightlyaway from the user to reduce contact between the tool and the user.

BACKGROUND

Various tasks at construction sites and home improvement projects oftendemand the use of multiple tools to complete the task. While completingthe task it may be desirable to carry or have accessible multiple toolsat the same time. For example, a tradesman may wear a tool belt with apouch to carry pliers, screw drivers, hammers, utility knives, nails,and levels, among other tools necessary to complete a task. Advances inportable battery powered tools have led to the desire to also carry oneor more power tools hung from a belt about the waist of the user. Atradesman's pouch, however, is not particularly well suited for carryingbulkier battery powered tools without the risk of the tool falling outof the pouch.

Although belt holsters have been devised in an attempt to allow handsfree carrying of an individual tool, the size of the handle, weight ofthe battery pack and center of mass of the power tool, for example, allaffect how well the tool balances in the holster. Further, dimensions ofthe handle and battery packs vary significantly amongst manufacturerssuch that many battery powered tools either don't fit in particularholsters or slip around in the holster. Other holsters for other toolssimilarly may allow the selected tool to slip within the holster.Slipping of the tool in the holster may lead to the tool falling out ofthe holster or bumping and bruising the user's leg as the tool slipsback and forth within the holster. A holster or holder that may retainmultiple dimensioned handles of tools in a secure fashion from the waistof a user is desirable.

SUMMARY

Embodiments according to aspects of the invention are capable ofsupporting a tool firmly hung at the waist of a user. The apparatusincludes a backing member or paddle, an extension member, and a toolharness or holder. The backing member rests against the user's hip orupper thigh and includes a curvature that generally conforms to a user'ship or upper thigh. The tool holder includes various configurationsadapted to hold firmly various tools, including by way of example, apower tool, hammer, speed square or framer's square. The tool holder mayfurther take the form of a container to receive various loose tools suchas nails or screws. The extension member interconnects the backingmember and tool holder in a rigid, spaced relation. The spaced relationcreates a separation distance between the user's hip or leg and thetool. In this manner a user may walk or otherwise freely moving withouthaving the tool contacting the user's leg. The backing member, extensionmember, and tool holder member may be constructed as a single, unitarymember or may comprise individual members coupled together to form theapparatus of the present invention.

An embodiment according to aspects of the invention includes a backingmember, a tool holder and an extension member. The backing member has afront surface, back surface and side surface, wherein the back surfaceincludes a concave curvature. Also, a widest portion of the frontsurface defines a width of the backing member, a longest portion of thefront surface defines a length of the backing member, and a thickestportion of the side surface defines a thickness of the backing member.The tool holder includes an opening to receive a tool. The opening maybe sized and shaped dependent upon the tool intended to be retainedwithin the tool holder. Within an interior of the tool holder, the toolholder includes an engaging portion capable of surrounding andcontacting a portion of the tool. The extension member interconnects thetool holder and the backing member in a spaced relation. When a tool isretained in the tool holder, the spaced relation between the tool holderand backing member positions the tool away from a user's leg. In thismanner, the tool is less likely to rub or hit the user's leg during usermovement.

The tool holder may include, without limitation intended, an internalprofile portion that is substantially “J” shaped and dimensioned so thata bottom width of the tool holder is less than an outer width of thetool holder measured at a tool retaining end of the tool holder.Further, the backing member may be shaped so that the width of thebacking member is greater than or equal to the bottom width of the toolholder. In embodiments of the invention a belt hook may extend from aback portion of the tool holder. The interior engaging portion of thetool holder may include ramp structures projecting upward or inward in amanner that, when engaged with a tool, the ramps may further restrictthe ability of the tool to sway. In embodiments of the invention, thetool holder may be shaped in the form of a container that includes ahinged cover to retain loose tools within the container. The cover mayinclude a first set of hinge members extending from a first side of thecover and may also include a second set of hinges extending from asecond side of the cover. Additionally, the apparatus may include tabsextending between the backing member and the tool holder, wherein thetabs are capable of restricting flexure of a lower portion of the toolholder towards the backing member.

An embodiment according to aspects of the invention includes a saddlethat grips a handle portion of a power tool. In this embodiment of theinvention the tool holder includes a tool saddle member, extension, anda backing attachment member. The resilient tool saddle member has aprofile portion that is substantially “J” shaped. One end of the Jshaped saddle member defines a tool retaining end wherein a bottom widthof the saddle member is less than an outer width at the tool retainingend of the saddle member. This configuration allows various handle andtool configurations to firmly rest within the saddle member. The backingattachment member couples to the saddle member and may have a width thatis equal to or greater than the bottom width of the saddle member. Thewidth of the backing attachment further provides stability to the saddlemember when hung from the belt of a user. The backing member may furtherinclude a profile curve to partially surround a hip of a user to furtherprovide stability of the tool hung at the waist of the user. In anembodiment of the invention a distance between the tool retaining endand a straight portion of the saddle is less than a distance of a widestportion of tool saddle member.

Additionally, in embodiments of the invention, the tool saddle member isconstructed to clamp at least partially around a tool handle between atrigger and end portion of a handle of the tool. The tool saddle mayfurther include a tool flap and lever arm coupled to the saddle member.Rotational movement of the lever arm actuates the flap between an openand closed position and further retains a tool within the saddle. An endof the tool flap may clip under an inner rib of the J shaped saddlemember to additionally secure the tool within the saddle.

In an embodiment of the invention the tool holder apparatus includes aresilient tool saddle member that has a substantially straightlongitudinal segment and a curved segment extending from an end of thelongitudinal segment. The curved segment has a tool retaining endsegment wherein a diameter of the curved segment is greater than adistance between the tool retaining end segment and the longitudinalsegment. At least a portion of the curved segment has a width that isless than a width of the longitudinal segment. An inner rib extends froma tool retaining end segment towards the longitudinal segment, whereinthe inner rib further reduces the distance between the tool retainingend segment and the longitudinal segment. A tool flap and lever armcouple to the saddle member in a manner so that the lever arm actuatesthe flap between an open and closed position. An end of the tool flapclips under the inner rib.

The tool saddle member may clamp at least partially around a tool handlebetween a trigger and end portion of a handle of the tool, wherein anouter width at the tool retaining end segment approximates a length ofthe tool handle. Embodiments of the invention includes the toolretaining end segment having one or more outer ribs extending outwardfrom the retaining end segment. The outer ribs may be utilized as athumb hold to ply the tool retaining segment open and away from the toolhandle as the user removes the tool from the tool saddle member.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute aportion of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the inventionand, together with the detailed description, serve to further explainthe invention. The embodiments illustrated herein are presentlypreferred; however, it should be understood, that the invention is notlimited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. For afuller understanding of the nature and advantages of the invention,reference should be made to the detailed description in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the various figures, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, likenumerals throughout the figures identify substantially similarcomponents.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a tool saddleholder of the tool holder of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the tool saddle holder of the invention of thetype shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a back view of an embodiment of a tool saddle holder of theinvention;

FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of an embodiment of a tool saddleholder of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a back perspective view of an embodiment of a tool saddleholder of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a tool tackholder of the tool holder of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of the tool tack holder of the typeshown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a back perspective view of an embodiment of a tool tack holderof the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a side perspective view of an embodiment of a tool tack holderof the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of the tool tack holder of the typeshown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 11 is a bottom perspective view of the tool tack holder of the typeshown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 12 is an opposing side perspective view of the tool tack holder ofthe type shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a tool squareholder of the tool holder of the present invention showing a speedsquare inserted in the holder;

FIG. 14 is a bottom back perspective view of an embodiment of a toolsquare holder of the tool holder of the present invention showing aspeed square inserted in the holder;

FIG. 15 is a back perspective view of an embodiment of a tool squareholder of the tool holder of the present invention showing a speedsquare inserted in the holder;

FIG. 16 is a back perspective view of an embodiment of a tool squareholder of the tool holder of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a top front perspective view of an embodiment of a toolsquare holder of the tool holder of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a top side perspective view of the tool square holder of thetype shown in FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a top perspective view of the tool square holder of the typeshown in FIG. 17;

FIG. 20 is a bottom perspective view of the tool square holder of thetype shown in FIG. 17;

FIG. 21 is a right perspective view of the tool square holder of thetype shown in FIG. 17;

FIG. 22 is a left perspective view of the tool square holder of the typeshown in FIG. 17;

FIG. 23 is a top front perspective view of an embodiment of a tool sackholder of the tool holder of the present invention showing a closed lid;

FIG. 24 is a top back left perspective view of the tool sack holder ofthe type show in FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 is a top back perspective view of an embodiment of a tool sackholder of the tool holder of the present invention showing an open lid;

FIG. 26 is a bottom front perspective view of an embodiment of a toolsack holder of the tool holder of the present invention showing an openlid;

FIG. 27 is a front right perspective view of an embodiment of a toolsack holder of the tool holder of the present invention showing an openlid;

FIG. 28 is a top front left perspective view of an embodiment of a toolsack holder of the tool holder of the present invention showing an openlid;

FIG. 29 is a bottom right back perspective view of an embodiment of atool sack holder of the tool holder of the present invention showing anopen lid;

FIG. 30 is a bottom right back perspective view of an embodiment of atool sack holder of the tool holder of the present invention showing anopen lid;

FIG. 31 is a bottom from right perspective view of the tool sack holderof the type shown in FIG. 23;

FIG. 32 is a top perspective view of the tool sack holder of the typeshown in FIG. 23;

FIG. 33 is a bottom perspective view of the tool sack holder of the typeshown in FIG. 23;

FIG. 34 is a back perspective view of the tool sack holder of the typeshown in FIG. 23;

FIG. 35 is a front perspective view of the tool sack holder of the typeshown in FIG. 23;

FIG. 36 is a right side perspective view of the tool sack holder of thetype shown in FIG. 23;

FIG. 37 is a left side perspective view of the tool sack holder of thetype shown in FIG. 23;

FIG. 38 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a tool saddleholder of the present invention and showing a tool (not drawn to scale)inserted in the saddle;

FIG. 39 is a front view of an embodiment of a tool saddle holder of thepresent invention;

FIG. 40 is a side view of an embodiment of a tool saddle holder of thepresent invention illustrating the tool flap and lever in the open andclosed position; and

FIG. 41 is a side view of an embodiment of a tool saddle holder of thepresent invention illustrating the tool flap and lever in the open andclosed position with a section of a tool handle illustrated with dottedlines.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description provides detail of various embodiments of theinvention, one or more examples of which are set forth below. Each ofthese embodiments are provided by way of explanation of the invention,and not intended to be a limitation of the invention. Further, thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications andvariations may be made in the present invention without departing fromthe scope or spirit of the invention. By way of example, those skilledin the art will recognize that features illustrated or described as partof one embodiment, may be used in another embodiment to yield a stillfurther embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention alsocover such modifications and variations that come within the scope ofthe appended claims and their equivalents.

The apparatus of the present invention is particularly well suited forholding securely a tool, including for example a cordless power tool,from the waist of a user. The tool holder 10 generally includes a toolholder member or saddle 14 and backing member 16. The backing member 16and holder member 14 are separated in a spaced apart relation byextension member 18. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that thetool holder 14 may take on a variety of configurations and shapesdepending upon the various tools intended to be retained within the toolholder.

With reference to FIGS. 1-5, the saddle portion of the tool holder 14may be generally understood and referred to as “J” shaped and includinga straight segment 22 and curved segment 23 that together create a “J”shaped appearance. An end 20 of the curved segment may curve in towardsthe straight segment 22. The curved segment 23 is preferably made from aresilient polymer that is pliable yet somewhat rigid and tends to returnto its original preset shape after bending. Exemplary materials include,without limitation, polyethylene, polypropylene, and nylon based polymercompositions.

The tool retaining end 20 may include an outer extending rib 32 andinner extending rib 34. The outer rib 32 may be contoured and angled toprovide a gripping surface suitable for a user to press its thumbagainst to apply an outwardly prying force directed against the curvedsegment 23. The inner rib 34 creates a ridge to further reduce a width28 between tool retaining end 20 and the straight segment 22. Withoutlimitation, the curved segment is preferably substantially round,circular, or another curve that tends to mirror the shape of handles ofcordless tools. Further, the maximum width or diameter 30 of the curvedsegment is larger than the width 28 near the open tool retaining end 20.

In this manner the curved segment may be bent outwards to enlarge theopening to receive a power tool handle and once the handle is placedinto the saddle the resilient curved segment 23 tends to grip and clampagainst the tool handle. When considering the present invention it willbe appreciated that a power tool head and battery pack are not alwaysdesigned to extend at 90 degrees from the tool handle. To furtherfacilitate a complete seating of a power tool handle within the saddle14, the bottom width 24 of the saddle may be less than the outer widthor maximum width 26 of the saddle. The bottom width 24 may furtherapproximate the distance between the battery pack and trigger of thepower tool (see, for example, FIGS. 2 and 38-39).

Backing member or paddle 16 may be attached with an extension member 18to the straight segment 22 of saddle 14 or may be formed integral withthe saddle. The backing may be attached with rivets, screws, or otherfasteners of known suitable construction. Alternatively, the Backingmember 18 may be coupled to the extension member using a tongue andgroove, or other that know joint allowing attachment and removal of thetool holder 14 and extension member 18 from the backing member 16. Thebacking member or paddle 16 may include a profiled contour or curve 40to complement a curvature of the user's leg or hip to further providestability when hung from a belt or waist of the user and to furtherreduce swaying of the saddle as the user moves. The backing 16 mayfurther include quick release clips 42 that allow for easy mounting andremoval of the backing 16 to a belt or pants of a user.

FIGS. 6-12 illustrates a tool holder 10 particularly well suited to holdand retain a hammer. The tool holder includes a tool holder member 14and backing member 16 coupled together by extension member 18. The toolholder member takes the form of a hammer loop 100 and straight segment102 that is coupled to extension member 18 (or formed integraltherewith). End portions 102 and 104 of the loop 100 include upwardextending ramps 110 and 112 and inwardly extending ramps 116 and 118.The loop 100 together with the side segment 102 and ramps 110, 112, 116,and 118 form a tool engaging portion of the tool holder member 14. Whenthe handle of a hammer is dropped into an opening or upper open end ofthe loop 100, the head of the hammer slides down ramps 110 and 112. Theinwardly extending ramps 116 and 118 further reduces the swaying of thehammer head when the hammer head rests on the upper edge 120 of thehammer loop 100. The side 102 includes tabs 46 that further separate theside from the backing member 16.

FIGS. 13-22 illustrates a tool holder 10 particularly well suited tohold and retain a speed square or framer square 152. The tool holderincludes a tool holder member 14, backing member 16 and extension member18. The tool holder member takes the form of a tool engaging pocket 150having a straight back side 158 coupled to the extension member 18 (orformed integral therewith). The tool engaging pocket 150 has an open end156. Tapered sides 160 and ends 162 extend downward and transition intotool engaging sides 164 and ends 166. Engaging portions of the toolholder 14 includes sides 158, 160 and 164 and ends 162 and 166. At leasta portion of the tool engaging pocket 150 is shaped to mirror a shape offraming square 152. A band 170 extends from an end 162 of the toolengaging pocket and is sized and shaped to be particularly well suitedto hold a pencil or pen press fit into the band 170.

FIGS. 23-37 illustrates a tool holder 10 particularly well suited tohold and retain loose objects, including without limitation, screws andnails. The tool holder includes a tool holder member 14, backing member16 and extension member 18. The tool holder member takes the form of atool container 200 having a straight back side 202 coupled to theextension member 18 (or formed integral therewith). The containerincludes a front side 206, back side 208, ends 210 and 212 and bottom214. A reversible, removable cover 220 is attached to the container 200with hinge joints. The cover 220 and container 200 together include aback hinge joint set 222, a first side hinge joint set 230 and a secondside hinge joint set 240. The back hinge joint set has a container half224 and a cover half 226 of the joint. The two halves 224 and 226 snaptogether and allow the cover 220 to be pivoted about the joint createdby the hinge 222. The container half 224 is formed on a top edge 216 ofthe container. The cover half 226 is formed on a bottom side of thecover.

Similarly, the first side hinge joint 230 includes a container half 232formed in the container and a cover half 234 formed in the cover. Thetwo halves 232 and 234 snap together and allow the cover 220 to bepivoted about the joint created by the hinge 230. The container half 232is formed on a top edge 216 of the container. The cover half 234 isformed on a top side of the cover. The second side hinge joint 240likewise includes a container half 242 formed in the container and acover half 244 formed in the cover. The two halves 242 and 244 snaptogether and allow the cover 220 to be pivoted about the joint createdby the hinge 240. The container half 242 is formed on a top edge 216 ofthe container. The cover half 244 is formed on a top side of the cover.

When the back hinge joint 222 is engaged, the container halves 232, 242of joint hinges 230 and 240 point upwards and are disengaged from thecover. Alternatively, a user may unsnap the back hinge 222, flip thecover 220 over and engage the side hinges. The user may then unsnap oneof the side hinges 230 or 240 and rotate the cover to a desired side ofthe container. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that othersuitable hinges may be formed between the container 200 and cover 220.For example without limitation intended, when the user desires apermanent attachment between the cover and container a living hinge ofknow suitable construction could be molded and formed between thecontainer and cover.

In another embodiment according to aspects of the invention, and inreference to FIGS. 38-41, the saddle 14 may further include a retainingmechanism 48. The retaining mechanism 48 includes a lever arm 52 andtool flap 50. The lever and flap pivot or rotate on pivot pin 54 and isbiased to a closed position by biasing spring 56. The user may pressagainst lever 52 to rotate the flap 50 to the open position to eitherremove a tool handle from the saddle or to receive the tool handleinserted into the saddle 14.

These and various other aspects and features of the invention aredescribed with the intent to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Thisinvention has been described herein with detail in order to comply withthe patent statutes and to provide those skilled in the art withinformation needed to apply the novel principles and to construct anduse such specialized components as are required. It is to be understood,however, that the invention can be carried out by specifically differentconstructions, and that various modifications, both as to theconstruction and operating procedures, can be accomplished withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention. Further, in the appendedclaims, the transitional terms comprising and including are used in theopen ended sense in that elements in addition to those enumerated mayalso be present. Other examples will be apparent to those of skill inthe art upon reviewing this document.

What is claimed is:
 1. A container apparatus having a reversible hingedcover, said apparatus comprising: a container having sides, ends, abottom and an open top, wherein an open interior of said container isbounded by the sides, end, bottom and open top; a cover adapted toengage and enclose the open top of the container; a first hinge jointhaving a cover half of the first hinge joint formed in an underside ofthe cover and a container half of the first hinge joint formed in a topedge of the container; and a second hinge joint having a cover half ofthe second hinge joint formed in an upper side of the cover and acontainer half of the second hinge joint formed in the top edge of thecontainer.
 2. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, further including athird hinge joint having a cover half of the third hinge joint formed inthe upper side of the cover and a container half of the third hingejoint formed in the top edge of the container.
 3. The apparatus asrecited in claim 1, wherein the container half of the first hinge jointis formed in one of the sides of the container in the top edge of thecontainer.
 4. The apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein the containerhalf of the third hinge is formed in a first end of the ends of thecontainer in the top edge of the container.
 5. The apparatus as recitedin claim 4, wherein the container half of the second hinge is formed ina second end of the ends of the container in the top edge of thecontainer.
 6. The apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein the containerhalf of the first hinge joint is formed in one of the sides of thecontainer in the top edge of the container.
 7. The apparatus as recitedin claim 6, wherein the container half of the third hinge is formed in afirst end of the ends of the container in the top edge of the container.8. The apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein the container half ofthe second hinge is formed in a second end of the ends of the containerin the top edge of the container.
 9. A container apparatus having areversible hinged cover, said apparatus comprising: a container havingsides, ends, a bottom and an open top, wherein an open interior of saidcontainer is bounded by the sides, end, bottom and open top; a coveradapted to engage and enclose the open top of the container; a firsthinge joint having a cover half of the first hinge joint formed in anunderside of the cover and a container half of the first hinge jointformed in one of the sides of the container in a top edge of thecontainer; and a second hinge joint having a cover half of the secondhinge joint formed in an upper side of the cover and a container half ofthe second hinge joint formed in the top edge of the container.
 10. Theapparatus as recited in claim 9, further including a third hinge jointhaving a cover half of the third hinge joint formed in the upper side ofthe cover and a container half of the third hinge joint formed in thetop edge of the container.
 11. The apparatus as recited in claim 10,wherein the container half of the third hinge is formed in a first endof the ends of the container in the top edge of the container.
 12. Theapparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein the container half of thesecond hinge is formed in a second end of the ends of the container inthe top edge of the container.
 13. A container apparatus having areversible hinged cover, said apparatus comprising: a container havingsides, ends, a bottom and an open top, wherein an open interior of saidcontainer is bounded by the sides, end, bottom and open top; a coveradapted to engage and enclose the open top of the container; a firsthinge joint having a cover half of the first hinge joint formed in anunderside of the cover and a container half of the first hinge jointformed in a top edge of the container; a second hinge joint having acover half of the second hinge joint formed in an upper side of thecover and a container half of the second hinge joint formed in the topedge of the container; and a third hinge joint having a cover half ofthe third hinge joint formed in the upper side of the cover and acontainer half of the third hinge joint formed in the top edge of thecontainer.
 14. The apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein thecontainer half of the first hinge joint is formed in one of the sides ofthe container in the top edge of the container.
 15. The apparatus asrecited in claim 14, wherein the container half of the third hinge isformed in a first end of the ends of the container in the top edge ofthe container.
 16. The apparatus as recited in claim 15, wherein thecontainer half of the second hinge is formed in a second end of the endsof the container in the top edge of the container.
 17. The apparatus asrecited in claim 13, wherein the container half of the third hinge isformed in a first end of the ends of the container in the top edge ofthe container.
 18. The apparatus as recited in claim 17, wherein thecontainer half of the second hinge is formed in a second end of the endsof the container in the top edge of the container.